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At first United fought off advances from AC Milan and Manchester United now they’re sending Vuckic packing to Rangers, Bradford and Rotherham.

But he’s far from the first to reach the height others have predicted. Newcastle, like any other club, has had its fair share of young prospects who were tipped for stardom only to totally miss the boat.

Hugo Viana

Hugo Viana of Newcastle clashes with Fabrice Fernandes of Southampton on November 16, 2002

The story goes that Sir Bobby Robson was looking at two young Portuguese footballers, both tipped to go far. He signed Hugo Viana (Young European Footballer at the time) and Sir Alex Ferguson went on to sign the other - Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nevertheless at £8.5million, the Magpies looked to have snapped up a real player. A left-foot and delivery few could rival and an eye for a pass which seemed to match the best in the league.

But unfortunately for United and Viana, it just didn’t work. Lacking strength, and the speed to play in the top flight doubled with the fact United has a wealth of wide players to choose from - Viana’s career on Tyneside was over within a few years.

He went on to join Sporting CP, Valence and Braga and won the Portuguese cup twice while also appearing in two Europa League Finals and two World Cups.

Gael Bigirimana

Gael Bigirimana looks on

Signed in the summer of 2012, it appeared that Bigirimana’s amazing story had come full circle. A refugee, he came to the UK in 2004 and ended up getting a trial at Coventry after turning up at the training ground and asking for one.

He impressed and signed a contract - making his full debut in August 2011 and capped the season off winning Apprentice of the Year. A move to United followed for a fee of between £500,000 and £1m.

There was something about Bigirimana, the fans and Alan Pardew could see it but for one reason or another it just didn’t work. Some questioned his attitude and others, his fitness. But the brief glimpses we got of him, it was clear he had ability.

He left the club to rejoin Coventry on loan before joining them permanently last summer.

Michael Chopra

Michael Chopra, right, in action for Newcastle United

Working his way up the academy during the 1990s, Chopra was a prolific goalscorer and he eventually made his first-team debut in 2000. Competition was strong, Chopra would have to go up against the likes of Alan Shearer and Craig Bellamy and would find opportunities rare.

Nevertheless he played against Barcelona and Bayern Leverkusen in the Champions League and would get his chance in a Tyne-Wear Derby, scoring in the 4-1 victory at the Stadium of Light. It would turn out to be his only goal in black-and-white.

And despite his clear eye for goal, he never looked prolific enough to take over from Shearer and United splashed the cash on Michael Owen.

He left in 2006, and has been a bit of journeyman. He proved handy in the Championship and his career has seen spells in Scotland and India - and he’s netted 107 goals in 385 games.

Adam Campbell

Adam Campbell of Notts County

He only made three appearances for Newcastle’s first team after impressing in the youth ranks. A man tipped for big things - speedy and with an eye for goal, it was hoped he could make the step-up.

It was not to be however and he was released without a single Toon goal to his name. Joined from Wallsend Boys Club in 2005, he moved into the first team fold in 2012 but with limited opportunities headed on loan to five clubs before being released in 2015.

Now at Notts County, where his goalscoring touch still alludes him.

Jamie McClen

Another local lad who was thought very highly of in the corridors of St James’ Park. Signed to the academy at the age of just 10, he spent seven years working his way, eventually making his first-team debut in 1999 against Spurs.

But he could never hold a first-team place down and only made a handful of appearances for the Toon before being released in 2005.

Paul Brayson

Benfield's Paul Brayson is clattered by Whitley Bay's Michael Laws

Goals came easy to Brayson and as a local lad there would have been no better feeling than pulling on that black-and-white shirt.

But when Kevin Keegan got rid of the reserves in the mid 1990s, Brayson’s development, like many others suffered.

A lack of game time saw Brayson leave for Reading and his career has so far seen him at several other clubs, and at the age of 39 is still playing non-league football.